Movement sequencing means

ABSTRACT

A predetermined operational sequence for a pair of closures supported on a vehicle body for independent movement relative to an opening in the vehicle body is maintained by movement sequencing means including a latchbolt engageable on a striker supported on a first of the two closures and operable in a latching position to maintain the first closure in the closed position, a detent lever movable between detenting and releasing positions and operable in the detenting position to maintain the latchbolt in the latching position, a bellcrank with stop means thereon which bellcrank is supported on the vehicle body for movement between an unblocking position and a blocking position in the path of motion of the second of the two closures to prevent movement of the second closure to the closed position, and a substantially inextensible connecting member connecting the detent lever to the bellcrank so that the bellcrank prevents movement of the detent lever from the detenting to the releasing, position when the second closure is in the closed position and the detent lever prevents movement of the bellcrank from the blocking to the unblocking position when the first closure is in the open position.

United States Patent Velavicius et al.

{54] MOVEMENT SEQUENCING MEANS [72] inventors: Alfonsas Velavicius; Bert R. Wanlass, both of Warren, Mich.

General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich.

221 Filed: Sept. 16, 1970 [211 Appl.No.: 72,587

[73] Assignee:

[52] U5. Cl ..49/370, 49/40, 49/279, 296/50, 296/ 106 [51] Int. Cl. ..E06b 3/44, E05fl 1/54 [58] Field of Search...

Primary ExaminerReinaldo P. Machado Assistant Examiner-Philip C. Kannan Anomey-W. E. Finken and D. L. Ellis Feb. 29, 1972 [5 7] ABSTRACT A predetermined operational sequence for a pair of closures supported on a vehicle body for independent movement relative to an opening in the vehicle body is maintained by movement sequencing means including a latchbolt engageable on a striker supported on a first of the two closures and operable in a latching position to maintain the first closure in the closed position, a detent lever movable between detenting and releasing positions and operable in the detenting position to maintain the latchbolt in the latching position, a bellcrank with stop means thereon which bellcrank is supported on the vehicle body for movement between an unblocking position and a blocking position in the path of motion of the second of the two closures to prevent movement of the second closure to the closed position, and a substantially inextensible connecting member connecting the detent lever to the bellcrank so that the bellcrank prevents movement of the detent lever from the detenting to the releasing, position when the second closure is in the closed position and the detent lever prevents movement of the bellcrank from the blocking to the unblocking position when the first closure is in the open position.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 29, 1%72 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS A/fbnsas l e/awkias, 6 BY Ben E Mazdass ATTORNEY MOVEMENT SEQUENCING MEANS This invention relates generally to vehicle body closures and, in particular, to means for insuring a predetermined sequence of operation for two closures supported on the vehicle body for movement relative to the latter and to each other.

A station-wagon-type vehicle on which the tailgate is supported for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between open and closed positions relative to the-rear opening is preferable to one on which the tailgate is supported for conventional swinging movement because a vehicle incorporating the bodily shiftable tailgate can be positioned more closely to loading platforms and the like to facilitate the transfer of cargo to and from the vehicle through the rear opening. The copending application of Bert R. Wanlass, Ser. No. 72,685 and assigned to the assignee of this invention, discloses an arrangement for supporting a tailgate on a vehicle body for such vertical bodily shiftable movement. Such a tailgate arrangement, however, is not particularly well adapted to the conventional vehicle design practice of mounting the vehicle rear window on the tailgate for movement relative to the latter between open and closed positions. The copending application of Charles A. Stebbins, Ser. No. 72,330 and assigned to the assignee of this invention, discloses a window panel support arrangement particularly adapted for use with a vertically moving tailgate, the window panel being supported on the vehicle body for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement independent of the tailgate between a closed position closing the upper portion of the rear opening above the tailgate and an open position situated within the vehicle roof structure remote from the rear opening. In a vehicle embodying such a combination of tailgate and window panel it is advantageous to provide means to limit the sequence of operation of the tailgate and the window panel to only the single most desirable sequence. Movement sequencing means according to this invention, while being of general utility, are particularly adapted to perform this tailgate and window panel sequencing function simply and efficiently.

The primary feature of this invention is that it provides new and improved movement sequencing means operable to insure apredetermined sequence of movement between a pair of closures each supported on a vehicle body for independent movement between open and closed positions relative to respective portions of an opening in the vehicle body. Another feature of this invention is that it provides movement sequencing means including latching means selectively operable to maintain. a first of the two closures in a closed position, blocking means selectively operable to directly block movement of the second of the two closures, and means interconnecting the latching means and the blocking means for coincidental operation. Yet another feature of this invention resides in the'provision of blocking means including a bellcrank pivotally supported on the vehicle body and carrying stop means thereon, the bellcrank being movable between a blocking position in an open position of the second closure and an unblocking position in a closed position thereof wherein the second closure prevents movement of the bellcrank to the blocking position. A still further feature of this invention resides in the provision of latching means including latch means and detent'means, the detent means being movable between a releasing position remote from the latch means and a detenting position in the closed position of the first closure and in a latching position of the latch means, the latch means in an unlatching position thereof corresponding to an open position of the first closure being operable to prevent movement of the detent means to the detenting position. Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision of interconnecting means in the form of a substantially inextensible connecting member attached at respective ends to the bellcrank and to the detent means so that movement of the latter from the detenting to the releasing position is accompanied by coincidental movement of the former from the unblocking to the blocking position.

These and other features of this invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and from the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear portion of a station-wagon-type vehicle body whereon a pair of closures are supported for independent movement and which includes movement sequencing means according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken away front elevational view of the latch means portion of the movement sequencing means;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partially broken away view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 4-4 in FIG. 1 and showing the blocking means in unblocking position and the detent means in detenting position;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 but showing the blocking means in blocking position and the detent means in releasing posi tion;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 6-6 in FIG. 1 and showing the lost motion connection between the detent lever operating lever and a key operated lock cylinder; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 7-7 in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. I of the drawings, a station-wagontype automobile vehicle body designated generally 10 includes a left quarter panel structure 12 defining a vertical jamb panel portion, not shown, and a right quarter panel structure 14 defining a vertical jamb panel portion 15, FIGS. 4 and 5. A left body pillar 16 extends forwardly and up from the left quarter panel structure 12 in parallel relation to a right body pillar 18 extending forwardly and up from the right quarter panel structure 14, the left and right body pillars merging into a roof structure 20 of the vehicle body. A pair of side window panels 22 are sealingly received within respective ones of a pair of side window openings between the roof structure and each quarter panel structure, each window panel curving around the rear of the vehicle body and into sealing engagement with respective ones of the body pillars l6 and 18, FIG. 2. A bumper member 24 extends transversely of the vehicle body between the quarter panel structures and cooperates with the jamb panel portions thereof, the body pillars and the roof structure in defining a rear opening 26 of the vehicle body.

Referring now to FIG. 2, each body pillar is generally a hollow. strut fabricated from a pair of formed outer members 28 and 30 internally stiffened by a brace 32 having an aperture 33 extending a limited distance therein. Each body pillar has an opening 34 extending generally the entire length thereof on the side of the pillar facing the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle body. A main rubber seal 36 is affixed to each body pillar adjacent the outboard edge of the opening 34 and merges generally at the top of the body pillar with a similar transverse main seal 37 affixed to the roof structure 20 and extending between the body pillars. A complimentary rubber seal 38 is affixed to-the inboard edge of the opening 34 in each body pillar, the seal 38 cooperating with the seal 36 to normally close the opening 34. An inner trim panel 40 is affixed to the outer member30 and generally conceals the body pillar inside the vehicle body while an outer-trim strip 42 generally conceals the seal between the body-pillar and the corresponding one of the side window panels 22.

As seen best in FIG. 1, a closure or tailgate 43 is supported on the vehicle body for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between a raised or closedposition, FIG. 1, closing thelower portion of the rear opening 26 and a lowered or open position, not shown, below the rear opening. For a full and complete description of the-tailgatesupporting arrangement, reference may be made to the aforementioned copending application of Bert R. Wanlass.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper portion of the rear opening above the tailgate 43 is adapted to be closed by a second closure or window panel 44 having a lower or leading edge 45, the windowvpanel being supported on the vehicle body for movement independently of the tailgate 43 from a closed or lowered position FIGS. 1 and 4, spanning the distance between the body pillars and compressively engaging the main seals 36, the transverse main seal 37, and seals on the upper marginal edge of the tailgate, not shown, in the raised position of the latter, while through an intermediate open position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, to an open or raised position, not shown, situated within the roof structure 20 remote from the rear opening. For a full and complete description of the window panel support arrangement, reference may be made to the aforementioned copending application of Charles A. Stebbins.

Generally, the window panel supporting arrangement includes a pair of cam channels 46 and 48 suitably rigidly affixed to the vehicle body within respective ones of the left and right body pillars and projecting into the roof structure 20, only a bracket 50 aflixed to right cam channel 48 and fastened to right body pillar 18 by a screw 52 being shown for such purpose in FIG. 2. Four roller followers are rotatably supported on the window panel 44 at respective ones of the four corners of the latter and the two roller followers aligned on each vertical side of the window panel are guidingly received in a corresponding one of the cam channels, only roller follower 54 engaging right cam channel 48 and being supported on a mounting plate 56 affixed to the window panel at the lower right corner thereof by a pair of fasteners 58 being shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thus supported on the cam channels, the window panel projects through the opening 34 in each body pillar and spans the distance therebetween and is bodily shiftable in a path of motion defined by the cam channels between the open position, not shown, and the closed position, FIGS. 1 and 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, latching means are provided on the vehicle body and on the tailgate 43 to releasably maintain the latter in the closed position, a full and complete description of the latching means appearing in the copending application of Bert R. Wanlass and Alfonsas Velavicius, Ser. No. 72,735 and assigned to the assignee of this invention. Generally, the latching means includes a striker 60 rigidly affixed to the right vertical side of the tailgate near the upper marginal edge thereof and oriented along a longitudinal axis thereof. As seen best in FIG. 3, the latching means further includes a latch housing 62 rigidly affixed to the right jamb panel portion of the right quarter panel structure 14, the latch housing having a downwardly opening slot 63 aligned along the vertical path of motion traversed by the striker 60 during movement of the tailgate between the open and the closed positions for reception of the shank of the striker 60 in the closed position of the tailgate. A rivet 64 projecting inwardly from the latch housing 62 rotatably supports latch means in the form of a bifurcated latchbolt 66 having a throat portion 68, a pair of detent shoulders 70 and 72 and a side bearing surface 73. A torsion spring 74 is supported on the rivet 64 and has a first leg abutting the latch housing 62 and a second leg abutting the latchbolt 66 to bias the latter clockwise, FIG. 3, from a latching position capturing the shank of the striker 60 in the closed position of the tailgate, FIG, 3, toward an unlatching position, not shown, in the open position of the tailgate. In the unlatching position, the throat portion 68 of the latchbolt is aligned with the slot 63 so that as the tailgate approaches the closed position from the open position the shank portion of the striker 60 enters the throat portion and initiates pivotal movement of the latchbolt from the unlatching to the latching position, the latter being achieved when the tailgate reaches the closed position.

The latching means further includes detent means operable to releasably maintain the latchbolt 66 in either the latching position described hereinbefore or an intermediate latching position, not shown, achieved slightly before the latching position is reached and corresponding to a semiclosed position of the tailgate which position is reached slightly before the closed position is achieved. The detent means includes a detent lever 76 having an actuating arm 78, a detent 80 and a bearing pad 82. The detent lever is supported on a rivet 84 rigidly affixed to the latch housing 62 for pivotal movement between a detenting position, FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the detent underlies either of the detent shoulders 70 and 72 on the latchbolt to prevent movement of the latter from the latching or intermediate latching positions to the unlatching position and a releasing position, FIG. 5, remote from the latchbolt and permitting movement thereof to the unlatching position. As seen best in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the mounted position of the detent lever 76 on the latch housing the actuating arm 78 thereof projects through an aperture 85 in jamb panel portion 15, past a rubber boot 87, and into the interior of right quarter panel structure 14. A guide pin 86 is supported at respective ends on the latch housing 62 and on the jamb panel portion 15 and projects through a clearance aperture 88 in the bearing pad 82 of the detent lever. A compression spring 90 is disposed about the guide pin 86 and bears at one end against the jamb panel portion 15 and at the other end against the bearing pad 82 to bias the detent lever 76 counterclockwise, FIGS. 4 and 5, from the releasing toward the detenting position. When the tailgate is in the open position the spring 74 biases the latchbolt 66 into the unlatching position and the spring 90 biases the detent lever from the releasing position, FIG. 5, to an intermediate position, not shown, wherein the detent 80 abuts the bearing surface 73 on the latchbolt. It will thus be apparent that whenever the tailgate 43 is not in either the closed or semiclosed positions the detent lever is held in the intermediate position by the bearing surface 73 on the latchbolt.

As seen best in FIGS. 2, 4 and S, the movement sequencing means further includes blocking means designated generally 92. The blocking means 92 includes a bellcrank 94 supported on a pivot pin 96 rigidly affixed by conventional means to the bracket 50 for pivotal movement between a blocking position, FIG. 5, in an open position of the window panel and an unblocking position, FIG. 4, in the closed position of the window panel. A stop pin 98 is rigidly affixed to the bellcrank 94 and projects perpendicularly to the plane of the latter while a torsion spring 100 coiled about pivot pin 96 abuts both a stop 102 on bracket 50 and a tab 104 integral with the bellcrank to bias the latter counterclockwise, FIGS. 4 and 5, from the blocking toward the unblocking position.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, an elongated striking plate 106 is journaled on a rivet 107 rigidly secured to the mounting plate 56 and is rotatable about an axis defined by the rivet 107 in a plane perpendicular to the rivet 107, the angular movement of the striking plate being limited by a tab 109 integral therewith projecting downward into a notch 1 1 1 in the mounting plate 56, FIG. 7. The striking plate 106 rotatably supports an auxiliary roller follower 110, the latter being guidingly received in right cam channel 48, FIG. 2. Movement of the window panel between the open and closed positions is accompanied by corresponding bodily shiftable movement of the striking plate 106 in a path of motion above the right cam channel 48, the auxiliary roller follower 110 guiding the upper end of the striking plate while pivotal movement of the latter about rivet 107 accommodates limited lost motion between the window panel and the striking plate. In any position of the window panel 44 between the closed position and the intermediate position, shown respectively in solid and broken lines in FIG. 1, the stop pin 98 is juxtaposed to the side edge of striking plate 106, FIG. 4, which thus prevents movement of the bellcrank from the unblocking to the blocking position. Between the intermediate and open positions of the window panel when lower edge 45 thereof lies generally above the bellcrank 92 the latter is movable between the unblocking position, FIG. 4, and the blocking position, FIG. 5, wherein the stop pin lies directly in the path of motion traversed by a bumper edge 112 on the mounting plate 56 during movement of the window panel between the open and closed positions.

The blocking means and the detent means are interconnected by connecting means in the form of a virtually inextensible cable 114 which, of course, might also be a rigid rod or the like. An end fitting 116 pivotally connects one end of the cable 114 to the bellcrank 94 at 117 while a second end fitting 118 pivotally connects the other end of the cable 114 to the actuating arm 78 at 119 intermediate the ends of the arm.

The cable 114 interconnects the detent lever 76 and the bellcrank 94 for coincidental movement. More particularly, the length of the cable 114 is predetermined to span the distance between pivots 117 and 119 when the bellcrank and detent lever assume, respectively, the unblocking and the detenting positions. When the detent lever is pivoted from the detenting to the releasing position, the cable 114 initiates coincidental pivotal movement of the bellcrank from the unblocking to the blocking position. Similarly, when the bellcrank is pivoted from the blocking to the unblocking position, the cable 114 initiates coincidental pivotal movement of the detent lever from the releasing to the detenting position under the urging of spring 90. Conversely, when movement of the bellcrank from the unblocking to the blocking position is prevented by the side edge of striking plate 106, the cable 114 prevents movement of the detent lever from the detenting to the releasing position and when movement of the detent lever to the detenting position is prevented by the latchbolt 66, the cable 114 prevents movement of the bellcrank from the blocking to the unblocking position.

In the preferred embodiment, the tailgate 43 is manually movable between the closed and the open positions while the window panel 44 is driven between the closed and the open positions by conventional electric drive means, not shown, actuated by a key operated switch designated generally 120 and mounted on the right quarter panel structure 14 adjacent the rear opening. The switch 120 includes a conventional lock cylinder 121 rotatable in a lock barrel, not shown, by a conventional key inserted into a key slot 122 in the lock cylinder. The lock cylinder 121 has a keying projection 123, FIG. 6, rotatable as a unit therewith and the projection 123 is received within a correspondingly shaped aperture in a bushing 124 having a circumferential groove 125 defining an actuating shoulder 126. The bushing 124 rotatably supports an eccentric operating lever 128 having a tab 130 integral therewith, the tab 130 projecting into groove 125.

As seen best in FIGS. 4 and 5, a draft link 132 connected to eccentric operating lever 128 at 134 and to actuating arm 78 of the detent lever at 136 is operable in response to clockwise rotary movement of the operating lever to depress the actuating arm and pivot the detent lever from the detenting to the releasing position.

Conventional spring means, not shown, normally bias the lock cylinder 121 to a neutral position wherein the key slot 122 assumes the position designated a, FIG. 5, and the bushing 124, accordingly, assumes the position shown in FIG. 6. Clockwise rotation, FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, of the lock cylinder to the position of key slot 122 designated 1; actuates the electric drive means to raise the window panel from the closed toward the open position and simultaneously rotates the bushing 124 clockwise until in position b of the key slot the actuating shoulder 126 is juxtaposed to the side of tab 130. The operating lever 128 is held in the position shown in FIG. 6 corresponding to the detenting position of the detent lever by the detent lever 76 through the draft link 132. Further clockwise rotation of the lock cylinder 121 to the position of the key slot 126 designated c deactivates the electric drive means while the shoulder 126 on the bushing 124 initiates unitary clockwise rotation of the eccentric operating lever 124 from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 5 during which rotation the draft link 132 is bodily shifted downwardly to pivot the detent lever from the detenting to the releasing position.

When the key is released the spring means returns the lock cylinder 121 to a neutral a position of the key slot 122 while the bearing surface 73 on the latchbolt 66 through the detent 80, the actuating arm 78 and the draft link 132 holds the operating lever 128 in the position shown in FIG. 5 corresponding to the intermediate position of the detent lever, the lost motion between the lever 128 and the bushing 124 being accommodated by groove 125. To close the window panel the lock cylinder 121 is rotated counterclockwise, FIG. 4, to a position of key slot 122 designated d wherein the electric drive means is actuated in the opposite direction to lower the window panel, the lost motion between the lock cylinder and eccentric operating lever again being accommodated by groove 125.

A typical operational sequence of the tailgate and window panel normally begins with each in the closed position, the striker 60 on the tailgate being captured by the latchbolt 66 in the latching position of the latter and the latchbolt being held in the latching position by detent lever 76 in the detenting position thereof, FIG. 4. With the detent lever in the detenting position the spring 100 biases the bellcrank 94 to the unblocking position, FIG. 4. The most desirable and efficient sequence of movement requires that the window panel 44 first be raised at least to the intermediate position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, before the tailgate is unlatched for movement to the open position and that the tailgate be latched in the closed position before the window panel is moved to the closed position. If this predetermined operational sequence is not followed and an attempt is made to rotate the lock cylinder 121 to the c position before the window panel is raised to at least the intermediate position, the bellcrank 94 which is maintained in the unblocking position by the striking plate 106 arrests movement of the detent lever 76 by means of cable 114 before the releasing position is achieved and thereby prevents any movement of the latchbolt from the latching position.

If, however, the window panel 44 is opened at least to the intermediate position beyond bellcrank 94, FIG. 5, the restraint on the bellcrank 94 previously provided by the side of striking plate 106 is removed so that the lock cylinder 121 is operable through operating lever 128 and draft link 132 as described to pivot the detent lever to the releasing position. As the detent lever pivots to the releasing position, the latchbolt 66 is released to permit movement of the tailgate to the open position while cable 114 initiates coincidental movement of the bellcrank 94 to the blocking position.

With both the window panel and the tailgate open, any attempt to lower the window panel to the closed position before the tailgate is latched in the closed position will result in interference between the stop pin 98 and bumper edge 112, FIG. 5. The window panel is thus physically prevented from reaching the closed position. The bellcrank 94 is prevented from being cammed or forced out of the blocking position by the bearing surface 73 on the latchbolt 66 through detent lever 76 and the cable 114. When the tailgate 43 is finally brought to the closed position, FIG. 7, the detent lever 76 pivots to the detenting position under the urging of spring thus slackening the cable 114. With slack in the cable, the spring initiates coincidental pivotal movement of the bellcrank to the unblocking position, the latter thus permitting full closing movement of the window panel.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a station-wagon-type vehicle body having a rear opening therein, the combination comprising, a first closure, means supporting said first closure on said vehicle body for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between a closed position closing a portion of said opening and an open position remote from said opening, a second closure, means supporting said second closure on said vehicle body for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement independently of said first closure between a closed position closing a portion of said opening and an open position remote from said opening, and movement sequencing means on said vehicle body and on each of said first and said second closures responsive to the position of said first closure to prevent movement of said second closure from the open to the closed position when said first closure is in the open position.

2. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and two closures each supported thereon for independent movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the combination comprising, latch means on said vehicle body and on a first of said two closures movable between a latching position in the closed position of said first closure maintaining the latter in the closed position and an unlatching position in the open position of said first closure, detent means, means supporting said detent means on said vehicle body for movement between a detenting position maintaining said latch means in the latching position and a releasing position remote from said latch means, means maintaining said detent means in the releasing position thereof when said latch means is in the unlatching position thereof, blocking means, means supporting said blocking means on said vehicle body for move ment between a blocking position in the open position of the second of said two closures directly blocking movement of said second closure to the closed position and an unblocking position permitting movement of said second closure to the closed position, means maintaining said blocking means in said unblocking position in the closed position of said second closure, and means interconnecting said blocking means and said detent means so that said blocking means prevents movement of said detent means from the detenting to the releasing position thereof when said second closure is in the closed position thereof and said detent means prevents movement of said blocking means from the blocking to the unblocking position thereof when said first closure is in the open position thereof.

3. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and two closures each supported thereon for independent movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the combination comprising, latch means on said vehicle body and on a first of said two closures movable between a latching position in the closed position of said first closure maintaining the latter in the closed position and an unlatching position in the open position of said first closure, detent means, means supporting said detent means on said vehicle body for movement between a detenting position maintaining said latch means in the latching position and a releasing position remote from said latch means, means maintaining said detent means in the releasing position thereof when said latch means is in the unlatching position thereof, a bellcrank, stop means on said bellcrank, means supporting said bellcrank on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a blocking position in the open position of the second of said two closures wherein said stop means directly blocks movement of said second closure to the closed position and an unblocking position permitting movement of said second closure to the closed position, said stop means being juxtaposed to said second closure in the closed position of the latter so that said second closure in the closed position thereof maintains said bellcrank in the unblocking position thereof, and means interconnecting said bellcrank and said detent means so that said bellcrank prevents movement of said detent means from the detenting to the releasing position thereof when said second closure is in the closed position thereof and said detent means prevents movement of said bellcrank from the blocking to the unblocking position thereof when said first closure is in the open position thereof.

4. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and two closures each supported thereon for independent movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the combination comprising, latch means on said vehicle body and on a first of said two closures movable between a latching position in the closed position of said first closure maintaining the latter in the closed position and an unlatching position in the open position of said first closure, a detent lever, means supporting said detent lever on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a detenting position maintaining said latch means in said latching position and a releasing position remote from said latch means, means maintaining the detent lever in the releasing position thereof when said latch means is in the unlatching position thereof, blocking means, means supporting said blocking means on said vehicle body for movement between a blocking position in the open position of the second of said two closures directly blocking movement of said second closure to the closed position and an unblocking ositron permitting movement of said second closure to the c osed position, means maintaining said blocking means in the unblocking position in the closed position of said second closure, a substantially inextensible connecting member, means connecting a first end of said connecting member to said blocking means, and means connecting a second end of said connecting member to said detent lever said connecting member interconnecting said blocking means and said detent lever so that said blocking means prevents movement of said detent lever from the detenting to the releasing position thereof when said second closure is in the closed position thereof and said detent lever prevents movement of said blocking means from the blocking to the unblocking position thereof when said first closure is in the open position thereof.

5. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and two closures each supported thereon for independent generally vertical bodily latchbolt movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the combination comprising, striker means on a first of said two closures, a latchbolt, means supporting said latchbolt on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a latching position in the closed position of said first closure engaging said striker means and maintaining said first closure in the closed position and an unlatching position in the open position of said first closure, a detent lever, means supporting said detent lever on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a detenting position engaging said latchbolt and maintaining said bolt in the latching position and a releasing position permitting movement of said latchbolt to the unlatching position, said latchbolt in the unlatching position thereof maintaining said detent lever in the releasing position thereof, a bellcrank having stop means thereon, means supporting said bellcrank on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a blocking position in the open position of the second of said two closures wherein said stop means directly blocks movement of said second closure to the closed position thereof and an unblocking position in the closed position of said second closure, said second closure in the closed position thereof maintaining said bellcrank in the unblocking position, a substantially inextensible cable, means connecting a first end of said cable to said bellcrank, and means connecting a second end of said cable to said detent lever, said cable interconnecting said bellcrank and said detent lever so that said bellcrank prevents movement of said detent lever from the detenting to the releasing position thereof when said second closure is in the closed position thereof and said detent lever prevents movement of said bellcrank from the blocking to the unblocking position thereof when said first closure is in the open position thereof. 

1. In a station-wagon-type vehicle body having a rear opening therein, the combination comprising, a first closure, means supporting said first closure on said vehicle body for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement between a closed position closing a portion of said opening and an open position remote from said opening, a second closure, means supporting said second closure on said vehicle body for generally vertical bodily shiftable movement independently of said first closure between a closed position closing a portion of said opening and an open position remote from said opening, and movement sequencing means on said vehicle body and on each of said first and said second closures responsive to the position of said first closure to prevent movement of said second closure from the open to the closed position when said first closure is in the open position.
 2. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and two closures each supported thereon for independent movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the combination comprising, latch means on said vehicle body and on a first of said two closures movable between a latching position in the closed position of said first closure maintaining the latter in the closed position and an unlatching position in the open position of said first closure, detent means, means supporting said detent means on said vehicle body for movement between a detenting position maintaining said latch means in the latching position and a reLeasing position remote from said latch means, means maintaining said detent means in the releasing position thereof when said latch means is in the unlatching position thereof, blocking means, means supporting said blocking means on said vehicle body for movement between a blocking position in the open position of the second of said two closures directly blocking movement of said second closure to the closed position and an unblocking position permitting movement of said second closure to the closed position, means maintaining said blocking means in said unblocking position in the closed position of said second closure, and means interconnecting said blocking means and said detent means so that said blocking means prevents movement of said detent means from the detenting to the releasing position thereof when said second closure is in the closed position thereof and said detent means prevents movement of said blocking means from the blocking to the unblocking position thereof when said first closure is in the open position thereof.
 3. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and two closures each supported thereon for independent movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the combination comprising, latch means on said vehicle body and on a first of said two closures movable between a latching position in the closed position of said first closure maintaining the latter in the closed position and an unlatching position in the open position of said first closure, detent means, means supporting said detent means on said vehicle body for movement between a detenting position maintaining said latch means in the latching position and a releasing position remote from said latch means, means maintaining said detent means in the releasing position thereof when said latch means is in the unlatching position thereof, a bellcrank, stop means on said bellcrank, means supporting said bellcrank on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a blocking position in the open position of the second of said two closures wherein said stop means directly blocks movement of said second closure to the closed position and an unblocking position permitting movement of said second closure to the closed position, said stop means being juxtaposed to said second closure in the closed position of the latter so that said second closure in the closed position thereof maintains said bellcrank in the unblocking position thereof, and means interconnecting said bellcrank and said detent means so that said bellcrank prevents movement of said detent means from the detenting to the releasing position thereof when said second closure is in the closed position thereof and said detent means prevents movement of said bellcrank from the blocking to the unblocking position thereof when said first closure is in the open position thereof.
 4. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and two closures each supported thereon for independent movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the combination comprising, latch means on said vehicle body and on a first of said two closures movable between a latching position in the closed position of said first closure maintaining the latter in the closed position and an unlatching position in the open position of said first closure, a detent lever, means supporting said detent lever on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a detenting position maintaining said latch means in said latching position and a releasing position remote from said latch means, means maintaining the detent lever in the releasing position thereof when said latch means is in the unlatching position thereof, blocking means, means supporting said blocking means on said vehicle body for movement between a blocking position in the open position of the second of said two closures directly blocking movement of said second closure to the closed position and an unblocking position permitting movement of said second closure to the closed position, means mAintaining said blocking means in the unblocking position in the closed position of said second closure, a substantially inextensible connecting member, means connecting a first end of said connecting member to said blocking means, and means connecting a second end of said connecting member to said detent lever said connecting member interconnecting said blocking means and said detent lever so that said blocking means prevents movement of said detent lever from the detenting to the releasing position thereof when said second closure is in the closed position thereof and said detent lever prevents movement of said blocking means from the blocking to the unblocking position thereof when said first closure is in the open position thereof.
 5. In a vehicle body having an opening therein and two closures each supported thereon for independent generally vertical bodily latchbolt movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the combination comprising, striker means on a first of said two closures, a latchbolt, means supporting said latchbolt on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a latching position in the closed position of said first closure engaging said striker means and maintaining said first closure in the closed position and an unlatching position in the open position of said first closure, a detent lever, means supporting said detent lever on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a detenting position engaging said latchbolt and maintaining said bolt in the latching position and a releasing position permitting movement of said latchbolt to the unlatching position, said latchbolt in the unlatching position thereof maintaining said detent lever in the releasing position thereof, a bellcrank having stop means thereon, means supporting said bellcrank on said vehicle body for pivotal movement between a blocking position in the open position of the second of said two closures wherein said stop means directly blocks movement of said second closure to the closed position thereof and an unblocking position in the closed position of said second closure, said second closure in the closed position thereof maintaining said bellcrank in the unblocking position, a substantially inextensible cable, means connecting a first end of said cable to said bellcrank, and means connecting a second end of said cable to said detent lever, said cable interconnecting said bellcrank and said detent lever so that said bellcrank prevents movement of said detent lever from the detenting to the releasing position thereof when said second closure is in the closed position thereof and said detent lever prevents movement of said bellcrank from the blocking to the unblocking position thereof when said first closure is in the open position thereof. 